The DadTalk blog features insights from dads and Responsible Fatherhood practitioners from around the country. Its goal is to start conversations about important issues surrounding fatherhood and programs for fathers today.
During the summer months, it is easy to put learning on the back burner. Summer activities, vacations, and other priorities often get in the way, and kids can lose some of the math and reading skills they spent the previous school year building.…
It happened--the day that most young people look forward to their entire lives. Our daughter turned 21, and she could not have been happier. It’s a milestone that marks the day she became a legal adult. Her mother and I rejoiced for her. Not just because she “did it,” but because “we did it.”
When Nzinga was just a year and a half old, her mother and I separated. Like most romantic relationship endings, it wasn’t easy. My family, which I loved so dearly, was breaking up. Suddenly, I felt like a failure again. It was déjà vu all over; first the absence of my father for…
One of the most challenging things in life may be trying to successfully blend together two separate families with different expectations, experiences, and backgrounds. And being a stepparent may be the hardest thing anyone attempts in their life (possibly the most unappreciated anyway). Here are five tips from experienced parents on how to express love within a blended family.
Accept everyone for who they are Lower your expectations of trying to look like the “perfect family.” Do not force kids to immediately love their new siblings or step parent. Bonding and learning to love…
Unfortunately, divorce can bring out the worst in us. The biggest obstacles to successful co-parenting are emotions like anger, resentment, and jealousy. Those kinds of emotions make the challenge of co-parenting with your ex more difficult. However, your children still need their mother and their father—whether they still live together or not. Here are five things to remember to help you successfully co-parent together.
It is not about you…it is about your kids.If the adults involved just remember that it is about the kids, there would not be near as many challenges. Commit to…
Said many different ways, the questions moms and dads must tackle during divorce can be pretty common. It’s important that parents be prepared to tackle hard questions, like those on the list below, to ensure the health of their children and other family members that will be affected by divorce.
Here are four big questions parents should be prepared to tackle:
1. Where will I live?
When trying to wrap their heads around the changes that come along with divorce, one of the biggest issues children may struggle with is the idea of home. Since residence can have such a…
Ed. Note: This post first appeared on the DadTalk Blog in December 2014. Read the original post here.
During the holidays, we look forward to spending time with family and loved-ones. The season is full of opportunities to make wonderful memories, but it can also be a stressful time, particularly for co-parents and blended families. Parents in a healthy relationship (regardless of romantic involvement) should feel safe to express themselves and respect each other’s opinions, while being able to resolve conflicts…
The many moving parts of a divorce can make parenting extra difficult. For fathers, maintaining healthy relationships with children can be especially challenging without the right help and approach. Here are four strategies to help you ensure your father-child relationship continues to be a success through the tough transition of a divorce.
Practice Great Co-ParentingThe start of healthy parent-child relationships during a divorce starts with the relationship two parents have with one another. The way you and your co-parent communicate, relate, and make decisions can have…
During the holidays, we look forward to spending time with family and loved-ones. The season is full of opportunities to make wonderful memories, but it can also be a stressful time, particularly for co-parents and blended families. Parents in a healthy relationship (regardless of romantic involvement) should feel safe to express themselves and respect each other’s opinions, while being able to resolve conflicts without anger. Both parents need honest, open communication for the benefit of their children.
Our February 2014 Fatherhood Buzz highlighted the building…
Parenting is filled with challenges. When parents live apart, these challenges can seem to grow, but the NRFC Hotline offers a resource and potential solution to parents when challenges arise. When they work together they can improve their situation and build healthy, happy homes for their children.
Below is a story about “Roberto” and “Roslyn” – two parents who were able to improve their situation with the help of the NRFC Hotline Team, staffed by specialists from Child Find/Parent Help.(Note: Names of the callers and caseworker have been changed to protect the identity of NRFC…
One of the greatest things that a father can do for the mother of his children is to show his appreciation for her. Whether mom and dad are together or co-parenting apart, fathers expressing appreciation for mom, greatly benefits the mother, the father, and the child(ren).
Mom will feel appreciated for the balancing act that she gracefully performs every day, often sacrificing to ensure that the needs of others are met. Dad benefits as his displays of appreciation rebuild or deepen the bond and connection between him and the mother of his children. Finally, the child(ren) benefit…